Em Goheen

MFA Illustration Practice

Em Goheen, Demon House, gouache and colored pencil on cut paper, 2020

ARTIST STATEMENT:

The home has always been a symbol of isolation for me; it is where I can relax, where I can be free from the distractions of the outside world. Yet despite this peace, it is not long before the quiet gives space for my thoughts to take over.

The best way for me to describe my experiences with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is like being trapped inside a burning house. The house is haunted by a legion of demons, but the only way to get rid of them is by lighting more fires. Eventually the whole building will be destroyed with me in it, and all that is left to do is watch as I am consumed.

It is important for me to communicate my struggles in a visceral way. Using color and pattern to grab attention, I can communicate what I’m feeling, to let someone know what I am going through. Perhaps they will relate and I will not feel so alone, or perhaps they will walk away with a new understanding of what it is like for others with OCD.